Dom Sibley’s marathon century helps inspire Surrey to make County Championship history

Surrey recorded the County Championship’s highest run chase in 98 years as they scored 501 to beat Kent by five wickets at Canterbury.

Dom Sibley scored the competition’s slowest-ever century to steer the visitors to the eighth-highest first-class chase on record.

They were one run short of the Championship record, set when Middlesex hit 502 to beat Nottinghamshire by four wickets at Trent Bridge in 1925.

The match was well-poised at the start of day four, with Kent needing seven wickets and Surrey 238 runs, but the final day offered none of the drama of the previous three. Sibley and Ben Foakes batted mercilessly, eclipsing Surrey’s previous highest chase of 410, made at this venue in 2002.

Foakes made 124 and Sibley finished on 140 not out from 415 balls, having reached his century in 511 minutes (eight hours and 31 minutes) after 368 deliveries. 

Dom Sibley scored the County Championship’s slowest-ever century in Surrey’s win over Kent

Sibley finished on 140 not out as Surrey recorded the competition’s highest run chase in 98 years

He finally made it to three figures by driving Joey Evison for four, beating the previous record for the slowest ton — thought to be Jason Gallian’s 453-minute century for Lancashire against Derbyshire at Blackpool in 1994.

Having been 452 for four at tea, Jordan Clark sealed the win with a single off Joe Denly and Surrey exited to a deserved ovation from home and away fans alike.